England opener in doubt for third Test

The biggest issue for England heading into the third Test against South Africa appears to be a virus that has put opening batsman Alex Hales' participation in doubt.

The third Test starts on Thursday at the Wanderers in Johannesburg, with England leading the series 1-0.

For England, a victory in Johannesburg or in the final game in Centurion, both pitches with reputations for delivering results, would hand them their first series win over South Africa in more than a decade.

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Significantly, it would only be England's second win in South Africa since the country returned from the sporting isolation of the apartheid years.

It would also topple South Africa from the No.1 ranking - a ranking that currently appears a little shaky.

"It would be a great achievement for this side to come here and beat South Africa away from home, and we're in a position to do that," England captain Alastair Cook said.

"The opportunity is there and it's just whether we're good enough to take it.

"It's an exciting time to play on what are probably two result wickets in these next two games. We need to win one to win the series. That is a great situation to be in."

Hales practised on Wednesday, albeit alone so he didn't infect the rest of the team, Cook said.

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Should he not be fit, Gary Ballance would likely come in for England, with Nick Compton likely to be promoted to opener.

England also may be in a better position to take advantage of the bouncy, quick, fast-bowler friendly pitches in Johannesburg and Centurion despite sounds from the South African camp that those conditions offer the home team a way back into the series.

With the return to fitness of James Anderson in Cape Town, England's fast bowling attack is at full strength with Anderson, Stuart Broad and Steven Finn, and the added backup of allrounder Ben Stokes, while the home side will be missing star quick Dale Steyn (shoulder).

The Wanderers Test will be Cook's 125th for England, as he becomes only the second England player to reach the milestone after Alec Stewart.

Anderson is also approaching a major personal milestone - he needs five wickets to overtake New Zealand great Sir Richard Hadlee at the seventh-highest Test wicket-taker, while eight wickets at Wanderers would see him surpass Kapil Dev's 434 scalps.

Meanwhile the top-ranked Proteas are in the midst of one of their most unsettled periods in recent times.

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Off a first series loss to India in 11 years, Hashim Amla suddenly resigned as South Africa captain midway through this England series, and interim skipper AB de Villiers said Wednesday he's not sure if he wants the job permanently.

"I'm still very committed (to the team)," De Villiers said.

"To the job (of captain), I'm not sure."

As well as his doubts over taking the captaincy long-term, De Villiers also said there was "a little bit of truth" in reports that he had been considering retirement after the series.

"The two Test matches, for now, is all I'm focusing on," he said.

In charge for the remainder of the four-match contest, De Villiers' challenge will be to ensure the uncertainty surrounding Test cricket's No.1 team and its best player doesn't affect a young squad ahead of the decisive final two games against England.